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How to Remove Black Spots on the Face?

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How to Remove Black Spots on the Face?

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Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Mayanka Lodha Seth

Written By Sheena Mehta
on May 27, 2025

Last Edit Made By Sheena Mehta
on Jul 19, 2025

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Do you suffer from black spots on the face?

Does having black spots make you feel embarrassed?

Do you also prefer hiding your face in public due to stubborn black spots?

Well, if yes, today’s blog is for you. There are several reasons behind these black spots on your face, which we will discover in this article. Be here with us till the end and find the best solution for your cause. 

Dark Spots on the Face: What Causes Them?

Dark spots are formed when some parts of your skin generate more melanin than usual. This dark-colored formation on the skin is also called hyperpigmentation. Consequently, you see the formation of melanin on your eyes, skin, and hair. 

There is no specific reason behind dark spots on the face. Anybody can experience it at any age due to extended sun exposure, acne, hormonal changes, damage, or age. Hence, it is essential to understand the underlying cause to help determine the most suitable treatment method. 

8 Main Causes of Dark Sports

Dark patches or dark spots can occur when the skin generates too much melanin. There are various different causes of dark spots on the face, such as: 

  1. Sun exposure: One of the most common reasons behind the formation of dark spots on the skin is sun exposure. Too much and direct exposure of the skin during the daytime might result in black patches. The skin that is most likely to get affected with sunspots is your hands, face, or arms. 

Additionally, the UV rays increase in melanin production, resulting in sun spots and age spots. If you are someone with a lighter skin tone or history of the most severe sunburn, it is linked to an increased risk of melanoma and skin cancers. 

  1. Skin inflammation is another reason to cause black spots on the skin. Skin inflammation, or dermatitis, is a skin irritation or swelling that can cause mild redness and itching. However, if the problem is severe, it can cause blisters, rashes, and pain. 

Additionally, a few conditions that can cause skin inflammation are psoriasis, acne, skin damage, and eczema. Therefore, you need to be careful. 

  1. Changes in hormones: If skin inflammation or sun exposure is not the cause of black spots on the face, then, it might be hormonal changes in your bodies. Women go through periods followed by menopause, and other factors such as aging and pregnancy which might result in dark patches and hyperpigmentation, which develops into melasma. 

Also read: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/lifestyle/white-spots-on-lips-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

Do you know?

There is a link between melasma and hormonal imbalance. Melasma is also known as the “mask of pregnancy,” characterized by dark-shaped patches on the skin. Melasma is triggered by hormonal imbalance, which affects melanin production. 

  1. Medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), psychiatric medications, and tetracyclines can make the skin more pigmented. Drug-induced pigmentation can also occur due to chemotherapy and antimalarials. 
  1. Diabetes: If you have diabetes, your skin darkens. Shin spots (diabetic dermopathy), which indicate red or brown round patches or lines on the skin, are harmless.
  1. Wound healing: Dark spots can develop after an insect bite, burn, or cut heals. This is a post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. 
  1. Irritation: Not to be missed, cosmetics or skin or haircare products can also cause skin irritation. It is due to the presence of chemicals in them that can damage your skin. 
  1. Skin Cancer: Some spots that change in color or size, black or brown spots on the torso of a male or lower legs of females is an indication of skin cancer. Additionally, 79% of all skin-related deaths occur due to 79% of melanoma. 

Some melanomas might not be round, differently colored, and might even grow quickly. 

7 warning signs of skin cancer

Below are seven crucial signs of skin cancer you may like to know: 

  1. A bleeding lesion
  2. An itching lesion
  3. A crater-like appearance spot
  4. A spot growing rapidly
  5. Skin changes in old place
  6. Spots that are not typically brown
  7. A spot growing rapidly

From scarring to hyperpigmentation caused by the extended exposure to the sun are the two main causes of dark patches on your skin. 

Due to greater melanin concentration, your skin doesn’t have the ability to absorb sun rays. This is quite normal with an Indian skin tone. Additionally, black patches on the face can also be brought on by waxing, acne scarring, and over-exfoliation. Nonetheless, all of which can be treated with home remedies for dark spots on the face.

5 Professional Treatments: How to Remove Black Spots?

You are worried about having black spots on your face and get rid of them. Usually, dark spots on the skin do not require treatment and lighten with time.

Some people may want to remove them quickly for cosmetic reasons. 

A dermatologist will understand the cause of black spots on your face and look at the size of the spots and the area of the body they affect before offering creams or recommending a procedure that tends to work faster on your skin.

Further, a dermatologist-recommended skin treatment is more expensive than you ever think. 

However, he may advise you any of the following treatments to remove black spots on the face:

  • Microdermabrasion: This specialized treatment is particularly used to exfoliate the skin. A top layer of the skin is removed to lighten the scars, acne, sun spots, and other imperfections on the skin. 

Benefits:

  • It allows the formation of new collagen in the skin. 
  • Painless.

Risks

  • Inflamed or swollen skin
  • No healing period. 
  • Laser therapy: If you are among those who want to correct skin discoloration, laser therapy is for use. During this laser procedure, the expert focuses a laser beam on discolored spots. 

Benefits:

  • One of the best methods to remove dark spots from the face. 
  • Decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • A slower procedure that offers a long-lasting solution. 
  • Also, it reduces visible signs of scarring and some other skin conditions. 

Risks:

  • It can cause infection. 
  • It may cause eye injury . 
  • It can exacerbate discoloration. 
  • Chemical peels: Chemical peeling, or chemical exfoliation, may be recommended for skin regeneration, remodeling, and improving overall skin appearance and texture. During this procedure the skin expert applies a chemical substance to your skin to control epidermal damage. 

Benefits: 

  • It can help reduce acne scars, improve skin texture, and minimize pores. 
  • It treats deep layers of the skin and uneven skin tone. 
  • It helps enhance collagen production. 

Risks

  • It can cause redness, scabbing, and swelling on the skin. 
  • Although rare, chemical peeling can cause infection.
  • Also, a deep chemical peel using phenol can cause kidney and liver damage.

Also read: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/kidney-test/10-benefits-of-regular-kft-for-monitoring-your-kidney-health/ 

  • Prescription medicines: A dermatologist-recommended prescription medicine to remove dark spots from the face may also include bleaching creams containing retinoids like tretinoin or hydroquinone. Additionally, your healthcare provider may also suggest antibiotics and a face wash with salicylic acid. 

Benefits: 

  • These medicines help brighten the skin tone. 
  • They help reduce acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles, and slow down the signs of aging.
  • Also, they help remove unwanted facial hair and restore hair growth on the scalp. 

Risks:

  • They can cause burning on the skin.
  • Other reactions may include redness, pain, sores, or ulcers. 
  • Cryotherapy: In this medical procedure, the dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen to dark circles to freeze them. This freezing further injures the skin cells around the under-eye area and makes your skin tone more even. 

Benefits

  • It reduces under-eye puffiness.
  • The cold temperature in cryotherapy encourages lymphatic circulation and increases blood flow. This results in reduced swelling and brightened skin around your eyes. 

Risks

  • It may result in swollen eyelids
  • It can cause puffiness in the eyes for a week. 
  • The adults with reading glasses are at a greater risk. 

6 Home Remedies to Remove Dark Spots on the Skin

Do you know you can remove black spots from your face at home? The following are the best home remedies for hyperpigmentation. Let’s figure them out in detail. 

  1. Apple cider vinegar: Apply acetic acid-rich apple cider vinegar to treat dark spots at home. 

Method

  • Add apple cider vinegar and water into a container in equal amounts.
  • Apply this mixture on the affected area of the skin. 
  • Rinse it with water after 2-3 minutes. 

Tip: You can repeat this process twice every day to see the desired results

  1. Red onion: Use red onion extract to lighten dark spots and blemishes. 

Method

  • Apply a mixture of onion juice and honey to affected areas to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. 
  1. Green tea extract: Use a green tea extract to fade dark spots from the skin. 

Method

  • Soak a green tea bag in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. 
  • Once it is boiled, remove it from the water. Allow it to cool. 
  • Apply this tea bag to lighten black stains. 

Tip: Continue using tea bag extract on the skin until you see results. 

  1. Aloe vera: The research reveals that aloe vera contains aloin which has a natural depigmenting effect that helps lighten skin and function well. 

Method

  • Before going to bed, apply aloe vera gel on pigmented areas. 
  • Wash your face the next morning. 

Tip: Repeat the process every day to make your skin tone better. 

  1. Milk: Research reveals that milk contains a depigmenting effect caused by lactic acid. Besides, you may also use buttermilk and even sour milk to successfully cure pigmentation. 

Method

Take a cotton ball. 

Dip it in milk. 

Use this cotton ball milk bath on the affected areas. 

Tip: Everyday applications can help you notice improvements.

  1. Over-the-counter medicines: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines containing azelaic acid, retinol, or alpha hydroxy acid may also work. Their application may boost the skin exfoliation and encourage new skin growth. 

Tip: Use it as directed. Avoid overusing so as not to harm your skin. 

Caution! 

It is always advisable to get in touch with a skin specialist for professional treatments or over-the-counter medicines. Some skin lightening products can do more harm than good due to not containing skin-friendly ingredients. In fact, their application can take a toll on your immune system, lungs, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and eyes. 

Conclusion

Dark spots on the skin, or pigmentation, can be caused by a range of causes. Having black spots on the face usually doesn’t cause harm, allowing you to live your life peacefully without getting them treated. 

Nonetheless, if you want to remove black spots from the face, consult with a dermatologist for a range of professional treatments, including cosmetic procedures or using OTC creams.

Remember, the efficacy of treatment depends on the cause of dark spots and their extent. Additionally, these dark spots on the facial skin may not completely fade, but treatment often brings desired results. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. How can you prevent black spots?

You can prevent black spots by using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 every day, covering your face with a mask, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and getting treatment for skin conditions such as acne to prevent inflammation. Avoid sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

2. When is the best time to see a doctor?

You should see a doctor when you notice dark spots suddenly, itching on the skin, a change in the color of the skin, tingling, and bleeding. These conditions may occur due to skin cancer or melanoma. 

3. What are the risk factors that can develop dark spots on the skin?

Certain risk factors that can develop black spots on the skin include sun exposure, pregnancy, skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Besides, liver disease, diabetes, and medications can also increase pigmentation.

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